What will really make a difference?

For my Blog post, I want to throw out the question of what will really transform our teachers, our classrooms, and at some point our schools?  The IMPACT grant is a wonderful opportunity, but the grant, in all actuality, will be just a small part for the culture changing result we all are striving for at this time.  We can talk about transformation, vision, culture and mission, but the bottom line is whether we can support and train out teachers to use the technology that we are learning about.

I personally have grown because of our current class.  It is because i have had to make myself explore and experiment with new technologies I have never had the chance to "play" with before.  Somewhere between the state and federal mandates, school level initiatives, parent conferences, diabetes training, meetings, PLC's and bus duty, our teachers are expected to gain the confidence and expertise to change their teaching.  Somewhere between having a family and trying to have a life outside of work, our teachers (and administrators for that matter) are going to have the time to collaborate and network to use new ideas and lessons.....

This is my point....we have an amazing opportunity ahead of us.  We have the chance to make a few improvements to our buildings, give our teachers some new tools, and hopefully create a culture of hands-on technology users and students excited to learn and create.  But with all of the excitement, lets not lose sight of mastery.  Let's not forget the old adage of "being a jack of all trades and a master of none."  And let's not forget that in order to teach and create a classroom of exploration, discussion and excitement, the teacher has to be the expert and have the skills to solve problems and maintain control at the same time.  To many times I have seen passion and excitement create a mediocre classroom because the teacher can't harness the "teachable moment" because they either lack the skills or training to master the tools they are trying to use.  Let's be careful to train and master as we go.  Everyone needs time to mature and become competent when they are leaning new skills.  I hope for all of our IMPACT schools is that we will focus on a few good skills, imurse ourselves and teachers in them, learn to use what we have effectively, and change our schools...not end up with a lot of new toys and a school full of good intentions.

Extra duties vs what is really needed......

I am facing the yearly debate and argument over what teachers should be expected to do as extra duties and what should be expected of teachers in order to run the school.  I have a good number of teachers that seem to feel that they should only be required to show up before their classes begin and then be able to leave as soon as their students leave to go home.  On the other hand, I have some staff that have no issue with helping out early morning or after school with whatever is asked of them....you all are in that situation. 
What is to be expected....we are salaried.  Is it whatever it takes to get the job done?  i often laugh that
some of my staff feel the need to remind me that they are professionals and should not have bus duty...that is not what they went to school for.....but on the other hand still hold tight to their blue-collar roots when it comes close to going over the mystical 8 hour day.....

Is there such a thing as an 8 hour day?  Especially for administrators?

What I learned from band....

I am here at Owen High School helping out at the Warhorse Classic marching band contest.  Been a while since I have been in my old "neighborhood" after being an administrator for 10 years, but it is eye-opening.

At band contests, you compete against a set standard, which is the judges sheet.  It is a "state" aligned sheet....standardized in a sense, and the judges all have to have completed some level of professional development in order to be a judge.....

Here is the difference....each band selects their own music and drill.  They all have different numbers, strengths and weaknesses....but the kids try, the parents support and the crowd appreciates the work that goes into the show....

Does the final score of the night determine the level of satisfaction or learning that has occured?  Sure. there is quite the difference in bands of 200 versus 25....in a way, apples and oranges....but learning has taken place...

here is my point....successful bands show their strengths and hide their weaknesses...just like successful sports teams.  In a way, they have a better aligned curriculum and maybe have a stronger tie to what is tested...we all need to maybe focus on what we now have and not get sucked into the latest and greatest educational fad and "quick-fix"!

In My Humble and Correct opinion......

Schools, in my opinion, are just reflections of the communities in which they serve.  I tell students all the time that in some ways, it is harder to go to school than to be an adult because as an adult, i can choose where I work, where I go, and the people in which I associate with on a daily basis.  As a student, I have to go to school in the district in which I live.  Which means I have to deal with people that i may not get along with, and have to do so until I graduate high school, or someone either drops out or moves!!  This is a difference in today's school.  We as a generation of "child raising" adults, have taken this concept of "You know, life is not always your cheerleader, and you will have to suck it up", and turned it into a disability or better yet, a choice.  Our students are surrounded by a world in which they are drowning in information, some worthwhile, most is just trivial "water-cooler" talk, and yet they see conflict and dealing with problems as choices.

A few generations back, Americans volunteered to fight in a war because the country needed them.  They understood what the issues, what the costs of action and no-action were, and made the choice.  Today, are schools used for what they were intended to do?  Are we preparing a generation for fulfilling lives, citizenry, and gainful employment, or are we now the puppets of every whim and social experiment coming down the pike?  From this perspective, I do wonder if maybe the "good old days" were truly the good old days?